Simulated lap-strake structure



n 6 R.'o. WAGEMAKER 3,038,179

SIMULATED LAP--STRAKE STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 2. 1957 FIG! ATT'YS June 12, 1962 R. o. WAGEMAKER 3,038,

SIMULATED LAP--STRAKE STRUCTURE Filed July 2, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5

. INVENTO: RAYMOND o. WAGEMAKER ATT'YS June 12, 1962 R. o. WAGEMAKER 3, 7

SIMULATED LAP--STRAKE STRUCTURE Filed July 2, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.6 H68 INVENTOR: RAYMOND O. WAGEMAKER ATT'YS J n 12, 1962 R. o. WAGEMAKER SIMULATED LAP-STRAKE STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 2, 1957 INVENTOR: RAYMOND OwAGEMAKER 2 BY ATT'YS June 12, 1962 R. o. WAGEMAKER 3,038,179

SIMULATED LAP-STRAKE STRUCTURE Filed July 2, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 RAYMOND O. WAGEMAKER ATT'YS 5A; 4 Y 4241 INVENTOR.

United States Patent ()fiice Patented June 12, 1962 3,038,179 SIMULATED LAP-=STRAKE STRUCTURE Raymond (P. Wagernaker, 20 Gay Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed July 2, 1957, Ser. No. 669,536 15 Claims. (Cl. 95)

This invention relates to novel structure, and, more particularly, to novel simulated lap-strake structure, which is particularly Well adapted for use in constructing boat hulls, siding for buildings, and roofing for buildings, and the like.

In construction work, such as in the construction of boat hulls, house siding, and the like, there is a form of construction known as lap-strake construction. In such construction, elongated boards or strakes are overlapped along longitudinal edges. Such construction has the advantage of affording a relatively strong structure and an attractive appearance, and, when properly used in the construction of boat hulls, enhances the buoyancy and stability of the boat.

However, such structure also has several inherent disadvantages, such as, for example, being relatively difficult and expensive to construct; the strakes being relatively difiicult to incorporate in curved structures and, particularly, in curved structures embodying the compound curves which occur in boat hulls, and the like; and not affording a finished interior in boats, or the like. It is a primary object of my invention to overcome such disadvantages.

Another important object of my invention is to afford a novel strake construction which simulates in appearance a lap-strake construction, and has the advantages thereof without having the disadvantages thereof.

Another object is to afford a novel strake structure which is waterproof.

A further object is to provide a novel and useful strake structure which affords an attractive external appearance when used in the construction of boat hulls, building siding or roofing, or the like.

Another object of my invention is to alford a novel and practical simulated lap -strake structure, which may be produced more economically than lap-strake structures heretofore known in the art.

Yet another object of my invention is to enable molded shapes to be given the appearance of embodying lapstrake construction in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object is to afford a novel simulated lap-strake construction which may be effectively used in a wide variety of structures, such as, for example, boat hulls, house siding, roofing for houses, and the like.

Another object of my invention is to enable novel waterproof siding and roofing to be applied to houses, and the like, in large, attractive sections or panels in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object of my invention isto afford a novel simulated lap-strake construction, which is well adapted to be readily used in the formation of formed structures, such as, for example, molded plywood boat bulls, and the like.

Yet another object of my invention is to afford a novel boat hull construction.

A further object of my invention is to afford a novel siding construction for houses, and the like.

Another object of my invention is to afford a novel roofing construction for houses, and the like.

Other and further objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.

In the drawings:

'FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a structural panel constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a boat, the hull of which embodies a strake construction embodying the principles of my invention as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the boat shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken sub stantially along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the boat shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view somewhat similar to FIG. 5, but showing a somewhat different form of boat construction;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view, similar to FIG. 6, but of the boat shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a modified form of my invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a boat hull constructed of the modified form of my invention shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a house embodying a modified form of my invention;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the siding of the house shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 14-14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the roofing of the house shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 16-46 in FIG. 15;

FIG. I7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 17- 17 in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a detail sectional view somewhat similar to FIG. 14, but showing a modified form of my invention.

For purposes of disclosure, the preferred form of my invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings, embodied in a boat 20.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the preferred form of my invention illustrated in thedrawings, a plurality of elongated members or strakes 22 are mounted in laterally spaced relation to each other on a suitable backing member 24, which, as will be discussed in greater detail presently, may be in the form of a fiat panel or may be in the form of a panel curved into substantially any practical structural shape.

The backing member 24, FIGS. 1 and 2, is made of three-ply plywood embodying an inner ply or sheet of veneer 28, an outer ply or sheet of veneer 29, and an intermediate ply or sheet of veneer 30 disposed between the inner ply 28 and the outer ply 2 9, and the plys 28'3(l are adhesively secured together by a suitable bonding means such as, for example, waterproof glue, or a suitable resinous adhesive such as phenol-formaldehyde resin, ureaformaldehyde resin, or the like.

The sheets 28-3il are preferably disposed in crossgrain relation to each other and the intermediate sheet 3% may be thicker than the inner sheet 28 and the outer sheet 29 to provide a core between the inner and outer sheets.

Also, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the backing member 24 is shown in the drawings as three-ply plywood merely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, and that the backing member 24 may have other construction, such as, for example, having a greater or lesser number of plys, being a one-piece panel, or the like, without departing from the purview of my invention.

The strakes 22 may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, wood of the type which is desired, and which is practical for the particular construction in which my novel structure is to be used, and each strake is substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross-section, FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner face 22a and the outer face 22b thereof tapering outwardly away from each other from a substantially feather-edge 220 to a thicker edge 22d, which projects substantially perpendicularly to the inner face 22a, FIGS. 2 and 4. The inner faces 22a of the strakes 22 are disposed in juxtaposition to the outer face of the outer ply 29 of the backing member 24, and may be adhesively secured thereto by any suitable bonding means such as the aforementioned waterproof glue, ureaor phenol-formaldehyde resin, or the like.

The outer faces 22b of the strakes 22 are disposed at such an angle, and the feather edges 220 of the strakes 22 are so sharp and are so disposed on the outer faces of the outer ply 29, that, when the strakes 22 are disposed on the backing member 24 with the feather edge 22c and the thicker edge 22d of respective adjacent strakes facing each other as shown in the drawings, the feather edges 22c blend into the outer face of the outer panel 29 in such a manner that the adjacent strakes 22 afford the appearance of being disposed in overlapped position relative to each other.

This construction, it will be seen, affords a finished structure having the appearance of lap-strake construction. Also, it affords a novel and practical strake construction wherein the strakes may be more readily conformed to various curves and shapes than would be true if they were of such size and construction to afford an actual lap-strake structure having the same appearance as that which is simulated by my novel structure.

In addition, it will be seen that my novel structure, like structures embodying lap-strake construction, affords strakes for structural strength, and, when embodied in boat hulls, affords outwardly projecting edges for the bouyancy and stability which have been heretofore sought with lap-strake construction.

The boat 20, shown in the drawings, to illustrate the preferred form of my invention, includes a hull 32 having an upper frame 34 mounted on the top edge portion thereof, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Two spray rails 36 and 37 are mounted on opposite sides of the hull 32, FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. The upper frame 34, and the spray rails 36 and 37 may be secured to the hull 32 in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by attaching screws, gluing, or any other way which is preferred.

The hull 32 of the boat 20 includes a bottom 41, two sides 42 and 43 projecting upwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the bottom 41, and a rear or stern wall 44 projecting upwardly from the bottom 41 between the rear edge portions of the sides 42 and 43. A keel 46 extends along the longitudinal center line of the bottom 41, longitudinally of the boat 20.

As may be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the bottom 41 and the sides 42 and 43 of the hull 32 embody the backing panel 24 and the strakes 22 of my novel invention, the strakes 22 on the boat 20 being disposed in laterally spaced relation to each other from the keel 46 to the upper frame 34, FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. The strakes 22 on both sides 42 and 43 of the hull 32, above the spray rails 36 and 37, are disposed in substantially horizontally extending parallel spaced relation to each other, and extend from the rear of the hull 32 to the bow thereof. Below the spray rails 36 and 37, the strakes 22 on the boat 20 are also disposed in laterally spaced relation to each other, FIG. 6, but are so disposed on the hull 32 that the bottom-most strakes 22 are disposed in rearwardly diverging V-shaped pairs, the front ends of each pair of strakes 22 being disposed in abutting engagement with the keel 46, with the pairs of strakes 22 projecting outwardly away from the keel 46 in rearwardly opening acute angles of progressively greater degree from the stern toward the bow of the boat 20, FIGS. 3 and 5. The strakes 22 on the bottom 41 of the hull 32, on both sides of the keel 46, are so disposed that the thicker longitudinal edges 22d thereof are disposed closer to the keel 46 than the respective feather-edges 22c thereof. Hence it will be seen that with the bottom-most strakes 22 disposed at the aforementioned rearwardly opening angles relative to the keel 46, these strakes present a streamlined surface to the water, when the boat is moving fonwardly therethrough, the feather-edges 220 being the leading edges thereof under such conditions.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the angle at which the bottom-most strakes 22 are disposed to the keel 46 may be varied to afford the best desired performance without departing from the purview of my invention, and that the particular angles selected for use in any particular boat construction will depend upon several factors, such as, for example, the size of the boat, the load to be carried by the boat, the size of the wetted surface, the speed at which it is intended that the boat shall operate, and the like.

The longitudinal edges of the strakes 22 on the sides 42 and 43 of the hull 32, above the spray rails 36 and 37, face in the same general direction as the strakes 22 on the bottom 41, that is, it will be noted that the thicker edges 22d of the strakes 22 on the sides 42 and 43 face downwardly so that the thicker edges 22d on the lowermost ones of these latter strakes face toward the featheredges 220 of the respective uppermost strakes 22 on the bottom 41. Each of the strakes 22 on the hull 32 follows the contours of the hull 32 so that a pleasing simulated lap-strake construction may be readily afforded for the entire hull 32, from the keel 46 to the upper frame 34.

In forming the hull 32, the backing member 24 may be built up of sheets of veneer over a suitable frame, in a manner which is well known in the art, and the strakes 22 may then be disposed in proper position on the thus formed backing member 24. The rear wall 44 may be secured to the rear edge portions of the sides 42 and 43 and the bottom 41 by any suitable means desired such as gluing, or by screws.

It will be remembered that the plys 2830 are bonded together by a suitable adhesive, and that the strakes 22 are, likewise, bonded to the outer ply 29. Hence, it will be seen that, in my novel boat 20, there is no need for using nails or screws, the transversely extending bars on the interior of the hull, and the like, which has heretofore been common in the securing of strakes in position on boat hulls having lap-strake construction, and, therefore, the interior of the hull 32 of my novel boat 20 is readily afforded a finished appearance.

Also, it will be seen that with this construction of a boat, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the draw ings, the strakes 22 thereon may afford the same buoyancy and stability characteristics as if the boat 20 had been made with an actual lap-strake construction.

Also, this construction affords a simulated lap-strake appearance which it has been found so closely resembles a lap-strake construction that it requires very careful examination to determine that the construction used is not lap-strake construction.

In addition, it will be seen that this novel construction enables the strakes 22 of the boat 20 to be of sufficiently small cross sectional size that they may be readily shaped to the compound contours of a boat, such as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, or the like.

Also, it will be seen that by using strakes such as the strakes 22, which are relatively small in width, lumber which might be imperfect in larger widths, and therefore, unuseable for l-ap-strake construction, may be used in affording a strake 22.

Furthermore, it will be seen that the strakes 22 afford good structural strength, which is one of the purposes of lap-strake construction, and the plys of veneer 28-30 and the strakes 22 making up the bottom 41 and the sides 42 and 43 of the hull 32 may be secured together to afford, in effect, a one-piece hull, which has a finished appearance both inside and outside, which is not possible when the lap-strake construction which has been heretofore known is used, wherein the strakes are lapped and secured together and to transversely extending bars on the interior of a boat by means of nails, screws, or the like.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, another boat 12% is shown which is identical in construction to the boat shown in FIGS, 3

to 6, inclusive, except that part of the strakes are disposed in a different position, as will be discussed in greater detail presently.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, structure which is the same as structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, is indicated by the same reference numerals, and structure which is similar to structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, is indicated by the same reference numeral, with the prefix 1 added thereto.

The boat 120 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, embodies a hull 1 32 which is identical in construction to the hull 32 of the boat 20, except that the strakes 122 on the bottom 141, below the spray rails 36 and 37 are so disposed that the wider edges 22d thereof face outwardly away from the keel 46, FIG. 7, and the lowermost strakes 122 on the bottom 141 adjacent to the keel 46 are disposed at a different angle than the strakes 22 on the bottom 4-1 of the boat 20, FIG. 8. V I

As maybe seen in FIG. 8, the strakes 122 on the bottom 1410f the boat 120 project from the rear edge of the hull 132 in a forwardly opening acute angle to the keel 46 for substantially the rear half of the boat 120, and then curve inwardly to the keel 46 in the front half of the boat 120. It will be seen that with this construction, as in the construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, the strakes at the rear portion of the bottom 141 of the boat 120, which are the strakes in contact with the Water during high speed operation of the boat 120, engage the water in such position that the flow of water past the strakes 122 is from the feather-edge 22c toward the wider edge 22d, so that the strakes tend to cut through the water and create relatively little drag. The angle of the strakes 122 to the keel 46 may, of course, be varied to afford the best desired performance for the conditions under which it is intended that the boat 120 shall operate.

It will be seen that my novel structure readily lends itself to such various positioning of the strakes thereof, and that, using my novel structure, boat hulls having strakes disposed in the same relative position throughout, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive, or having strakes on the bottom disposed in reversed position from those on the sides, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, may be readily constructed, With either construction, a lapstrake appearance is imparted to the boat hull, and the strakes afford structural strength, buoyancy, and stability. Also, with either construction the strakes may be readily conformed to the contour of the boat, and the inside of the boat hull is readily afforded a finished appearance.

In addition, it will be seen that my novel structure affords a Waterproof construction for boat hulls, whether the strakes are positioned as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, inelusive, or as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the modified form of my invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, inclusive, parts which are the same as parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, are indicated by the same reference numerals, and parts which are similar to parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, are indicated by 6 the same reference numerals, with the prefix 2 added thereto.

In the modified form of my invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, inclusive, the structure illustrated therein includes a backing member 24, which is identical to the backing member 24- shown in FIGS. 16, and includes three plys of veneer, 28, 29 and 30, adhesively bonded together. Also, strakes 22, which are identical to the strakes 22 shown in FIGS. 1-6, are adhesively secured to the outer face of the outer ply 29 of the backing member 24 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

However, additional structure in the form of a plurality of elongated strips or sheets of veneer 61 are mounted on the backing member 24. The strips 61 are preferably so disposed on the backing member 24 that the outer faces 22b of the strakes 22, and the exposed outer faces of the outer ply 29 are completely covered thereby.

Between the thicker edges 22d of the outermost strakes 22 on the backing member 24, each strip 61 is disposed in covering juxtaposition to the outer face 22b of a respective one of the strakes 22 and extends from the featheredge 22c thereof across the adjacent outer face of the backing member 24 and terminates at one longitudinal edge 61a in abutting engagement with the edge 22d of the strake 22 next adjacent to the aforementioned featheredge 22c, FIGS. 9 and 10. The other longitudinal edge 61b of each such strip 61 is disposed in the same plane as the edge 22d of the strake 22 on which it is disposed in overlying position.

The strip 61 which is disposed on the outer strake 22, the feather-edge 22c of which faces toward a terminal edge of the backing member 24, such as the uppermost strake shown in FIG. 9, may be disposed in such position that the longitudinal edge 61a thereof is disposed in the same plane as the aforementioned terminal edge of the backing member 24.

At the other edge of my novel structure shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, inclusive, the portion of the outer face of the backing member 24 disposed outwardly of the other outer strake 22 may be covered by a strip 61, the edge 61a of which is disposed in abutting engagement with the edge 22d of the last mentioned strake, and the edge 61b of which is disposed in the same plane as the terminal edge of that side of the backing member 24.

The strips 61 may be bonded to the backing member '24, and the strake 22 by any suitable adhesive, such as, for example, the aforementioned waterproof glue, or ureaor phenol-formaldehyde resin, or the like. The strips 61 may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, wood veneer, suitable paper, cloth or canvas sheeting, suitable vinyl plastic sheeting, and the like. Thus, for example, by having the strips 61 be of mahogany veneer, structures embodying the principles of my invention as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, may be afforded a mahogany finish even though the backing member 24- and the strakes 22 are not made of mahogany, but are made of a cheaper grade of wood. The edges 22d of the strake 22 may, of course, be stained to match the strips 61 if it is desired.

In the use of this modified form of my invention such as, for example, in constructing the boat 220, the same method of construction may be used as in constructing the boat 20 except that, after the strakes 22 have been positioned on the backing member 24, the strips 61' are bonded in position.

With this construction it will be seen that simulated lapstrake structures, even including those having compound contours, such as, for example, the hull structure in the boat 22! may be readily fabricated.

Also, it will be seen that with structures constructed in accordance with the principles of this modified form of my invention, cheaper grades of wood may be used in the strakes 22 and the outer ply '29 of the backing member 24 without detracting from the finished appearance of the structure, the veneer '61 covering the strakes 22 and the exposed face portion of the backing member 24.

In addition, it will be seen that this construction enhances the simulation of the lap-strake appearance afforded by my novel invention, strips of veneer 61 even covering the feather-edges 220 of the strakes 22.

In the form of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 17, inclusive, a house 71 is shown having sides 73, a roof 75, and an awning 77 constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. In FIGS. 12 to 17, inclusive, parts which are the same as parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

In accordance with the principles of my invention, the siding 79 of the sides 73 of the house 71 may be constructed of a plurality of substantially rectangular-shaped siding panels 81, each siding panel including a backing member 24 having elongated, substantially wedge-shaped strakes 22 disposed in parallel spaced relation thereon, FIGS. 12, 13 and 14.

The backing member 24 shown in FIGS. l2l4, like the backing member 24 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be constructed of a plurality of sheets or plys 28, 29 and 30 of veneer bonded together by a suitable adhesive such as, for example, waterproof glue, or a suitable resin such as the aforementioned urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Likewise, the strakes 22 have an inner face. 22a, and an outer face 22b, a sharp or substantially feather-edge 22c, and a thicker edge 22d, which latter edge is preferably substantially perpendicular to the face 22d, and the strakes 22 may be bonded to the outer face of the outer ply 29 of the backing member 24 by suitable adhesives such as, for example, the above mentioned adhesives by which the plys 28-30 may be secured together.

In forming the siding panels 81, the opposite edges of the backing members 24 may be reversely grooved, as are the upper edges 81a and lower edges 81b shown in FIG. 14, so that vertically or horizontally adjacent siding panels 31 on each wall 73 may be joined together with a lap-joint.

The strakes 22 on the siding panels 81 are disposed in horizontally extending, vertically spaced parallel relation, with the feather-edges 22c thereof facing upwardly. With this construction, the feather-edges 22c blend into the outer face of the outer ply 29 of the backing member 24 in such a manner that the adjacent strakes afford the appearance of being disposed in overlapped position relative to each other, so that the appearance afforded by siding constructed in accordance with my novel invention is that of clapboard or lap-strake construction.

In constructing the walls 73 of the house 71, the siding panels 81 may be secured to the studding 83 of the walls 73 by any suitable means such as nails 84, with the complementarily grooved edges of the adjacent siding panels 81 disposed in overlapping relation to each other. Such construction afiords a practical siding having an attractive appearance, and enables siding to be quickly and easily placed in position in relatively large sheets or panels so that a substantial saving in time is realized as compared to constructing siding of individual clapboards, or the like.

Also, in accordance with the principles of my invention, the roofing 86 of the roof 75 of the house 71, may be constructed of a plurality of substantially rectangularshaped roofing panels 88, each including a backing member 24 having elongated substantially wedge-shaped strakes 22 disposed in horizontally extending, parallel, spaced relation to each other.

The backing member 24 of the roofing panels 88 may be constructed in the same manner as the backing mem ber 24 of the siding panels 81. Likewise, the strakes 22 of the roofing panels 88 are substantially wedge-shaped in 'tranverse cross section, having an inner face 22a adhesively secured to the outer face of the outer ply 29 of the backing member 24 of the roofing panel 88, an outer face 22b, a sharp or substantially feather-edge 22c, and a thicker edge 22d.

The backing members 24 of the roofing panels 88 may be grooved at their edges in the manner heretofore described with respect to the siding panels 81 so that the roofing panels 88 may be secured to the rafters 91 of the roof 75 by suitable means such as nails 92, with the adjacent roofing panels 88 connected together by a lapjoint connection.

The roofing panels 88 are disposed on the rafters 91 in such position that the strakes 22 extend horizontally and the feather-edges 22c thereof face upwardly along the roof 75. Straight parallel spaced grooves 93, FIGS. 12, 14, 16 and 17, may be formed in the outer ply 29 of those portions of the backing member 24 of the roofing panels 88 which are disposed between adjacent strakes 22, each groove 93 terminating at its upper end at the thicker edge 22d of respective strake 22 defining the upper boundary of that portion of the ply 29 having that groove 93 formed therein, and terminating at its lower end at the feather-edge 220 of respective strake 22 defining the lower boundary of that particular portion of the ply 29, FIGS. 15 and 16.

Each of the strakes 22 also has grooves 94 formed in the outer face 22b thereof, the grooves 94 in each strake 22 extending transversely thereacross in parallel spaced relation to each other, and terminating at their upper ends in connecting, longitudinal alignment with respective grooves 93 formed in the backing member 24. Hence, it will be seen that each strake 22 and the portion of the backing member disposed immediately thereabove are so grooved that they afford the outward ap pearance of shingles.

The grooves 93 of the backing member 24, which are disposed between each pair of strakes are preferably equally spaced from each other, with the grooves in adjacent portions of the backing member 24 offset out of alignment with each other a distance equal to one-half of the distance between each pair of adjacent grooves 94. Hence, it will be seen that with this positioning of the grooves 94 and therefore of the connecting grooves 93, the appearance of a shingled roof is enhanced, shingles in a roof normally being offset in such a manner.

It will be seen that by constructing roofing such as the roofing 86 from roofing panels such as the panels 88 in accordance with my invention, roofing which is attractive in appearance and affords a practical waterproof construction may be quickly and easily applied to a house in relatively large sheets or panels.

The roof 75a of the awning 77, FIG. 12, may also be constructed of roofing 86 which is identical in construction to the roofing used on the roof 75, to thereby aiford a shingled appearance.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my novel structure affords a simulated lap-strake construction which is practical and is well adapted for use in affording highly attractive, waterproof siding, roofing, and the like.

In the modified form of my invention shown in FIG. 18, siding 479 which is made up of siding panels 481, is shown mounted on studding 83. The siding 479 is identical to the siding shown in FIGS. 12-14, inclusive, except that outer strips or sheets of veneer 461 are mounted on the outer faces 22b of the strakes 22 and the adjacent outer faces of the outer plys 29 of the backing member 24 in th: same manner as heretofore discussed with respect to the structure shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, inclusive.

It will be seen that with this latter construction, the simulation of lap-strake or clapboard appearance is enhanced, the strips of veneer 461 even covering the featheredges 22c of the strakes 22. If desired, the outer strips of veneer 461 may be grooved in the manner heretofore discussed with respect to the roofing panels 88, and the panels 481 may then be used as roofing panels to afford a simulated shingle construction which is attractive in appearance and is practical in use.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have aiforded novel structure embodying novel simulated lap-strake construction.

Also, it will be seen that I have afforded novel structure which is well adapted for use in fiat sheet form, such as, for example, in roofing, siding, or the like, or in molded or shaped curved form, such as, for example, in boat hulls, and the like.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture simulating a lap-strake construction comprising a backing sheet having an outer face, and a plurality of elongated strakes attached to said face in transversely spaced relation to each other, each of said strakes being substantially wedge-shaped in transverse cross section, tapering between a feather-edge on one longitudinally extending side to a thicker edge on the opposite side.

2. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1 and which includes sheets of wood veneer disposed in position to cover said strakes and the portions of said face not covered by said strakes.

3. A simulated lap-strake construction comprising a supporting sheet, and a plurality of elongated strips extending longitudinally across said sheet in juxtaposition thereto and in transversely spaced relation to each other, each of said strips having two longitudinal edges with one longitudinal edge thicker than the other longitudinal edge thereof.

4. An article of manufacture simulating a lap-strake construction comprising a supporting sheet, and a plurality of transversely spaced elongated strips of material attached to said sheet in longitudinally extending juxtaposition thereto, each of said strips having one longitudinal edge projecting outwardly from said sheet, and another longitudinal edge on the opposite side of said strip from said one edge, said one edge being thicker than said other edge.

5. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 4, and which includes a plurality of sheets of veneer, and in which each of said sheets of veneer has one face disposed in juxtaposition to a respective one of said strips and to a respective portion of said first mentioned sheet, with one edge of each of said sheets of veneer disposed in the same plane as said one edge of said respective strip, and with another edge of said sheet of veneer disposed in abutting engagement with said one edge of another one of said strips.

6. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 4, and in which said sheet and strips are disposed in position to form a boat hull wherein said strips extend forwardly and rearwardly along said hull.

7. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 4, and in which said sheet is substantially fiat, and in which said strips are substantially straight and disposed in parallel relation to each other.

8. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 4, and in which said strips are substantially straight and disposed in parallel relation to each other, and in which the outer face of said sheet and strips have parallel spaced grooves therein extending perpendicularly to said one edge.

9. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 8, and in which said grooves in each of said strips are connected in longitudinal alignment with a respective groove in an adjacent portion of said sheet, and in which said grooves in each of said strips are disposed out of longitudinal alignment with said grooves in any adjacent strip.

10. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 5, and in which said sheets of veneer have outwardly opening straight parallel grooves therein extending thereacross perpendicularly to said strips, and in which said grooves in each of said sheets of veneer are disposed out of longitudinal alignment with said grooves in any adjacent sheet of veneer.

11. An article of manufacture afiiording a lap-strake appearance comprising a backing member having an outer face, and a plurality of elongated strakes having an inner face and an outer face, said last mentioned outer face slanting outwardly at an acute angle to said inner face from a substantially feather-edge common to said last mentioned faces, and said strakes being disposed in laterally spaced relation to each other on said first mentioned outer face with said inner faces disposed in juxtaposition to said first mentioned outer face and with said feather-edges all facing in the same general direction.

12. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, and which includes sheets of veneer mounted on said outer faces of respective ones of said strakes in covering relation thereto and extending therefrom across said first mentioned face into position wherein one free edge of respective ones of said sheets of veneer are disposed in abutting engagement with respective adjacent ones of said strakes.

13. A simulated lap-strake structure comprising a substantially panel-shaped backin member, and a plurality of elongated strakes of substantially wedge-shaped transverse cross-section mounted on said backing member in laterally spaced relation to each other, each of said strakes having an inner face having a feather-edge at one longitudinal side thereof and a thicker outwardly projecting edge at the longitudinal side thereof opposite to said one side, said strakes being bonded to said backing member with said inner faces disposed in juxtaposition to said backing member.

14. A structure as defined in claim 13, and which includes elongated strips of sheet material disposed in covering relation to respective ones of said strakes and extending laterally from said thicker edges of said respective strakes across said respective strakes and respective portions of said backing member, in juxtaposition to said portions and said last mentioned strakes, into abutting engagement with said thicker edges of adjacent ones of said strakes.

15. A structure as defined in claim 13, and which includes sheet means disposed in juxtaposed covering relation to said strakes and to the portions of said backing member disposed between said strakes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 293,714 Byrnes Feb. 19, 1884 508,193 Tyra Nov. 7, 1893 769,502 Smith Sept. 6, 1904 1,126,114 Spiegel Jan. 26,, 1915 1,545,212 Stowe July 7, 1925 1,865,771 Levy July 5, 1932 2,110,512 Sawyer Mar. 8, 1938 2,231,007 Vane Feb. 11, 1941 2,823,426 Dunlap Feb. 18, 1958 2,909,790 Wagemaker Oct. 27, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 579,035 Great Britain July 22, 1946 

